134 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
October 27, 1888. 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
-*?°- 
Winter Bedding. 
Various substitutes have from time to time been 
proposed and used in the beds in place of the gay 
summer occupants. Amongst these the use of coloured 
stones, including white marble, coals, slaces, red bricks, 
and other things, supplies colour, but they constitute 
but a poor substitute for living plants. Variegated 
Kales have also been used, but although they afford a 
considerable amount of variety in colour they have 
never become popular. Prejudice has no doubt a great 
deal to do with it, as few care to have the flower 
garden planted with vegetables, notwithstanding the 
purple, red, white, yellow, and other shades with 
which the finely curled leaves are variegated. When 
winter bedding pure and simple has to be done, no 
better substitute has been found than such as are 
supplied by Conifers, Hollies, Box, Euonymus, and 
other evergreen subjects. Amongst Conifers, small 
plants of Retinospora plumosa, R. p. aurea, R. p. 
argentea, R. leptoclada, R. squarrosa, Cupressus Law- 
soniana aurea variegata, C. L. lutea, C. L. erecta 
viridis, and many others could be named, that if 
obtained in a small state, will answer the purpose for 
some years in succession, till they become too large. 
All of those named submit to pruning, and can therefore 
be kept in a small state. Variegated Hollies in many 
forms and hues supply a warm rich glow of colour, 
such as few or no other subjects fcan. 
Spring Bedding. 
Now that there is no further excuse for retaining 
the summer flower bedding in its present dilapidated 
condition, the plants may be thoroughly cleared away, 
and the beds manured and dug up. In their stead 
plant V allflowers, Silene pendula compacta, Daisies, 
Polyanthus, Primroses, Arabis albida or its variegated 
variety, Myosotis sylvatica, M. s. alba, and many other 
early-flowering subjects that render the spring garden 
one of the most enjoyable of the whole year. As to 
which of the above should have preference, if space is 
limited, individual taste will have to determine. Of 
course, by planting the beds with neat and tasteful 
designs, all may readily be utilised, and prove effective 
when in flower. In late seasons spring bedding lasts 
till well into summer, and one feels loath to pull it up 
when at its best, although the summer occupants 
greatly require planting. A little foresight should 
be exercised, so that spring-flowering subjects may 
occupy the beds intended for planting last. For 
instance, where carpet bedding is attempted, those 
beds are generally the last to be filled with their summer 
occupants ; Heliotropes are also late in being put out, 
so that spring-flowering subjects may more conveniently 
be planted in them. Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Lobelias, 
and other things in pots would also prove suitable for 
planting out after the spring bedding has been pulled 
up. 
Herbaceous Borders. 
As soon as annuals, such as Marigolds, Clarkias, 
Stocks, Asters, and similar things that may have been 
planted in the borders for the sake of variety, become 
cut down by frost or look untidy, they should be 
cleared away to the rubbish heap. Lift Dahlias and 
Gladiolus if not already done. Tie the latter in 
bunches, and hang them up in a cool airy place to 
dry. Before cutting down any of the perennials, the 
proper occupants of the borders, see that their heights 
have been notified, so that tall ones may be trans¬ 
planted into the back lines, and dwarf ones brought 
forward if need be. Perennial Asters, Chrysanthe¬ 
mums, and such things as are still flowering should 
not be disturbed at present, but they may be marked 
out for regulation later on. Fleshy rooted plants, 
including Pseonies, Delphiniums, Aconitums, and 
Alstrcemerias had better be left till spring. Although 
quite hardy, they would be less able to repair any 
damage to the tubers than they would when growth 
recommences. The present is, however, a good time 
to lift most things that have completed their growth, 
if necessary to transplant or divide. The soil is still 
dry, and retains a little warmth, so that a good deal of 
root growth will yet take place before winter, and 
damaged roots will have time to recover themselves. 
Ventilation of Frames and Greenhouses. 
Many amateurs may be disposed to think that in the 
absence of bright sunshine there is no necessity to 
ventilate. But short days, damp weather, and fogs, 
will in a short time now make their unwelcome 
presence felt by the damping of all kinds of bedding 
plants, but particularly Pelargoniums and Lobelias. 
The latter are very liable to get lost, should they 
consist of late-struck and badly-rooted cuttings. All 
these difficulties can best be surmounted by thorough 
ventilation on all favourable occasions. In mild 
weather, all houses containing bedding plants should 
be ventilated top and bottom, unless foggy. Cold 
frames should have the sashes taken right off during 
the day, unless it rains or the weather is otherwise 
unpropitious. They may, however, be well tilted up 
when it is mild. In this way only can the occupants 
be kept in a robust and healthy condition. In the 
greenhouse very little water will be required, and only 
those plants that are actually dry should be watered ; 
this should be done in the morning, so that all may be 
thoroughly dried up] before night. Wipe up all 
moisture from the paths, and remove all decaying 
leaves from plants, of whatever kind in the house. 
-- 
HOLWOOD, KENT. 
Situated as it is, on rising ground amongst trees, this 
country residence of Lord Derby commands a wide view 
over a large tract of country. The visitor on approach¬ 
ing it can only get occasional glimpses of the mansion 
through vistas or openings amongst tall trees of great 
age and dimensions that stud the grass everywhere, 
and spread their umbrageous, spreading heads over a 
great extent of ground. The approach is made by long 
carriage drives, or by what are called “rides,” which 
consist of green walks separated from the rest of the 
park only by the grass being closely mown. In the 
absence of a guide the visitor may experience a little 
difficulty in determining the way except the day be 
clear, as one “ride” is often intersected by others 
leading in diverse directions. 
On reaching the gardens, however, we found Mr. 
Garrett, the gardener, very courteous and obliging, and 
by his permission proceeded to inspect the place, com¬ 
mencing with the houses. A heavy crop of Peaches 
had just been taken from the old trees indoors, and this, 
as well as some other houses, was occupied with Chry¬ 
santhemums which had rapidly been conveyed indoors 
on account of the frost. Later on the plants, of which 
there are upwards of 600, will be transferred to the 
conservatory. The first flowers of Peter the Great were 
already fully expanded, while a number of other blooms 
will be open in a few days, including Lady Talfourd, 
Lady Selborne, Grandiflora, Comtesse de Beauregard, 
and Fair Maid of Guernsey. Several others besides 
these are well advanced, and promise to develop fine 
heads. 
A few bunches of Grapes were still hanging on the 
Vines in the early house, although the first of them 
were cut on Whit Sunday last. A heavy crop still 
hangs in the late house, and the bunches are all neatly 
enclosed in white tissue paper to keep away the flies. 
Lady Downes, Alicante, Muscat of Alexandria, and 
Madresfield Court are the varieties grown, but the 
last mentioned proves unsatisfactory here on account 
of the liability of the berries to split. Figs are grown 
in an unheated house and furnish a large supply 
during the autumn months. It is one of similar 
houses of that kind to be seen in this district of 
Kent, and in cold summers like the past gives satisfac¬ 
tion when Figs on the open wall fail. It may here be 
stated that Apples are almost a failure this year, while 
there is in many instances a heavy crop of Pears, 
Pitmaston Duchess and Marie Louise being most 
heavily cropped. Unfortunately, however, many of 
them are cankered and cracked, seemingly owing to a 
cold subsoil. Orleans and Coe’s Golden Drop Plums 
fruited well, and at the time of our visit the latter 
still hung on the trees. 
With the exception of the zonal Pelargoniums, the 
winter-flowering stuff had been grown in the open air 
till recently, when they were all huddled indoors late at 
night, after having suffered somewhat from frost. 
Peristrophe speciosa and Eupatorium riparium seemed 
to have suffered most. Strange to say, Ageratum 
mexicanum album did not seem to have suffered at all. 
In the same house was a good strain of seedling tuber¬ 
ous Begonias in many shades, some of the yellow and 
orange-scarlet varieties showing beautifully-marked 
foliage of the B. Pearcei type. In a stove close by 
were many other kinds, including fine varieties of the 
B. Rex type, B. fagifolia flowering beautifully, as were 
B. conchsefolia, B. metallica, and others. The varie¬ 
gated Hibiscus Cooperi flowers freely here, which is 
more than can be said of it in some gardens. 
Allamanda nobilis is of more moderate dimensions than 
A. Schottii (A. Hendersoni), and has clear yellow 
flowers, with a white spot at the junction of the 
segments. The conservatory is a three-quarter span 
building near the mansion. The most striking feature 
of the house is the climbers, but particularly Tacsonia 
van Volxemii, which covers the greater part of the 
roof, and from which the richly-coloured flowers depend 
in great numbers. Other climbers are Passiflora 
coeruleo-racemosa, Abutilon megapotamieum variegatum 
and Noisette Roses, including Marechal Kiel and 
Lamarque. Out of doors a large breadth of the Czar 
Violet was just commencing to flower, while Statice 
latifolia and Aster diffusus horizontalis were battling 
strongly with the frost. Most conspicuous were the 
single Hollyhocks, towering up to a height of 8 ft. to 
12 ft. The seeds had been sown a little more than a 
year, and planted out in August, 1887, so that now 
they are flowering for the first time, and seem to with¬ 
stand a considerable amount of frost. The colours are 
rose, pink, salmon, and some almost black, and are not 
only conspicuous but very effective. 
From the front of the mansion magnificent views are 
obtained over a wide extent of Kent, and the house 
itself presents a massive and bold front, owing to the 
heavy copings, corners, sides of the windows, and 
' massive pillars at the entrance, and which are all of 
Portland stone. The front walls are covered up to a 
height of 30 ft. or so with Magnolia grandiflora, 
Clematis Jackmanni, C. flammula, Gloire de Dijon and 
climbing Devoniensis Roses, all of which were flowering, 
some very profusely. The white and yellow Banksian 
Roses also run up to the above-mentioned height, 
which is as far as they are permitted. The yellow 
variety flowers most freely. 
In the vicinity of the house and on the lawn some 
ponderous trees raise their heads, including a wide- 
spreading Cedar of Lebanon, about 80 ft. in height, 
and feathered with branches nearly the whole way. 
The Turkey Oak (Quercus Cerris) runs up about 70 ft., 
and Limes to 100 ft. Beech, Birch, and Pines also 
attain noble dimensions in the heavy rich soil at 
Holwood. Very interesting are two aged trees of the 
Cork Oak (Quercus Suber) about 25 ft. and 30 ft. 
respectively, with gnarled-looking and rugged corky 
bark, riven to a great depth. One of the trees was 
very much damaged by the memorable snowstorm of 
Christmas, 1885. There are probably few trees of the 
size of these, both with regard to height and diameter 
of the trunk, in this country. Close by one of these is 
what is known as Lord Cranworth’s Oak, a large speci¬ 
men of Quercus pedunculata, with long boughs resting 
on the ground. Lord Cranworth formerly owned this 
estate. Pitt’s Oak, behind the kitchen garden, is a low 
spreading tree, with a short bole of a trunk, now 
hollow, and about 30 ft. in circumference. The 
branches are girded together by means of iron rods. 
Another Oak, on the brow of an eminence overlooking 
Keston, is celebrated as being that under which Mr. 
Wilberforce, in conversation with Mr. Pitt, resolved to 
give notice in the House of Commons of his intention 
to bring forward the “Abolition of the Slave Trade.” 
This note was taken from Mr. Wilberforce’s diary, dated 
1788, exactly 100 years ago. The old tree is hollow, 
and the branches are now literally roped together with 
iron rods, looped into one iron ring in the centre. A stone 
chair was erected beside the Oak by the Earl of Stanhope, 
with Lord Cranworth’s permission, in 1862. There are 
many other old Oaks, all specimens of Quercus pedun¬ 
culata, now hollow and gradually crumbling to pieces, 
all of which point to the great antiquity of the place." 
Old and spreading Yews are also plentiful ; but the 
most interesting instance, perhaps, is that of an Oak 
and a Yew which have become firmly locked or 
literally grown together to the height of 4 ft. or 5 ft. 
Evidently one originated as a seedling at the foot of 
the other, probably the Yew, which after having 
grown to the above-mentioned height, was obstructed 
by a large limb of the Oak, which thus grows over the 
top of the Yew, dwarfing the stature of the main 
trunk. Although the wood of the one overlaps that of 
the other, it is improbable that any vital union has 
taken place. 
-- 
EDINBURGH NURSERIES.—I. 
The Royal "Winter Garden. 
This is practically a garden or nursery under glass, 
at West Coates, situated towards the western side of 
the city, but almost entirely surrounded by buildings. 
There is, however, a large frontage of glass towards 
one of the main thoroughfares leading out of the city, 
and the public have ample encouragement or induce¬ 
ments to enter. The large conservatory facing the 
road is occupied with Tree Ferns, Camellias, and a 
varied assortment of flowering plants in season, 
including all the leading and best summer-flowering 
